Rheumatic Disease and the Pregnant
1. Up to 50% to 75% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improve during pregnancy.
2. Maternal and fetal outcomes for patients with connective tissue disease and vasculitis are best when disease is well controlled.
3. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have anti-Ro (SS-A) or anti-La (SS-B) antibodies are at increased risk for having infants who develop the neonatal lupus syndrome.
4. Patients with SLE should attempt to become pregnant only when their disease is controlled for over 6 months.
5. Hydroxychloroquine offers more benefit than risk when used in a pregnant patient with SLE.
6. Azathioprine is the safest nonbiologic disease-modifying agent to use in a patient who requires additional immunosuppressive therapy.
